Residents and visitors attending Boston International Hanseatic Day today can look forward to a colourful celebration of the town’s rich heritage, with community-created banners, live performances, creative workshops and spectacular giant sheep puppets all taking centre stage.
New for the 2026 Hanse Day Parade are specially commissioned textile banners designed by Lincolnshire-based artists in collaboration with local residents through a series of free workshops held throughout March and April.
Illustrator Aga Kowalska led collage workshops inspired by Boston’s unique history, encouraging participants to explore colour, texture and storytelling through their artwork. These creative designs were then transformed into large-scale textile banners during quilting workshops led by Vicki Reid, a semi-finalist from the BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee (Series 9).
The project, delivered by Transported, has enabled local people of all ages and abilities to play an active role in shaping this year’s celebrations. The finished banners will be proudly carried through the streets by participants and volunteers during today’s parade.
Visitors can also join Aga Kowalska for a free drop-in sheep collage activity at the Medieval Market from 10am until the parade begins at 12.40pm.
The creative programme has already proven hugely popular. On Saturday, artist Donna Fox, who created the flags and silk skirts worn by dancers during last year’s Hanse Day celebrations, hosted free silk-painted suncatcher workshops in Boston Marketplace, with all sessions fully booked.
Dancers from Josie Clarke Dance Academy will once again wear Donna’s creations as they perform specially choreographed routines by Beth Williams during today’s festivities.
Adding another exciting visual element to the parade are two giant Lincolnshire Longwool sheep puppets, created by East Midlands-based puppet maker and puppeteer Robbie Bellekom.
Robbie, who previously worked with Transported on the popular Illuminate Parade, joined the Hanse Day artistic team this year and hosted a drop-in moving artwork workshop in the Marketplace yesterday, where participants created medieval sailing boat-themed moving artworks.
The giant puppets – a ewe and her lamb – have been chosen to celebrate Boston’s historic wool trade and centuries-old trading links across Europe. The Lincolnshire Longwool, recognised as the largest sheep breed in the UK, is a rare breed with roots stretching back hundreds of years, making it a fitting symbol for the town’s Hanseatic heritage.
With community creativity at its heart, today’s Boston International Hanseatic Day promises a vibrant celebration of the town’s past, present and future.
